With many good parking spots around the Red River bridge, this trail along the Red River offers miles of access to all types of terrain.

Getting there

The Moose River Recreation Area Primitive Camping Area is a 5 mile drive from the Limekiln entrance in Inlet. The gravel and dirt access road has a 15 mile-per-hour speed limit. The trailhead starts 50 yards over the Red River bridge, on the left.

By the numbers

• Distance: 2.2 miles, one way
• Elevation gain: 375 feet

Hiking

The trailhead starts an informal loop that slips away from the left of the bridge through a replanted evergreen forest in an old sand pit.

The trail is for beginners and has very little elevation change. Turn right off the road from Sagamore and there will be a gate that can be ridden around on the left. Follow this rocky road for a while, cross the bridge, and look for a trail sign on the left side of the road pointing to the right. When it spills back out on the main road, follow that to the right to return to the trailhead.

The trail on the right is flagged at the beginning with yellow and red tape. Keep a lookout for this junction, as it is easily missed. The road is rocky as you approach and the right turn off is sharp. This trail is fairly flat with gentle, rolling hills.

Cycling

It can take about 3 hours to hike this route, and about half that on a mountain bike.

Birding

On land, look for Ruffed Grouse, Boreal Chickadee, Black-capped Chickadees, Golden-crowned Kinglets, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hairy and Black-backed Woodpeckers, Barred Owl, Yellow-rumped Warblers, Black-throated Blue, Nashville, Palm, and Northern Waterthrush.

Fishing

Bear Pond contains brook trout and can be accessed via the 2.2-mile Bear Pond Trail. Use or possession of baitfish is prohibited.

Snowshoeing

Recommended for snowshoe access only. Parking is not authorized here in the winter.

Find out more

Read our blog post, Camping & Birding in the Moose River Plains.